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International Journal of Bioprinting 3D bioprinting of ultrashort peptides for chondrogenesis

Figure 3. Biocompatibility assessment after 3D bioprinting of IZZK and IIZK peptide. (A) Live/dead long-term cell viability assessment using IZZK and
IIZK peptide bioinks (cell viability after 24 days postprinting). Cells were stained with Calcein-AM (green, live cells) and ethidium homodimer-1 (red,
dead cells). (B) Cytoskeleton staining to detect morphology and 3D distribution of cells within printed constructs. F-actin was stained with phalloidin
(red) and the nucleus with DAPI (blue).

indicating the high potential of the ultrashort peptide was found to be increased approximately 18-fold in IZZK
bioinks to be used in chondrogenic regenerative medicine peptide, with a highly significant difference compared to
applications. No significant difference was observed in IIZK peptide.
the expression level of Coll-II between IZZK and IIZK
peptides. In addition, we have studied the expression Furthermore, we also aimed to investigate whether
level of aggrecan, a proteoglycan that forms an essential our ultrashort peptide bioink supported hyaline cartilage
part of cartilage ECM, giving cartilage tissue the ability formation over fibro- or hypertrophic cartilage (Figure 4A
to withstand compressive loads . MSCs from both and B). In this regard, we assessed the Col-II/Col-I and
[49]
ultrashort peptide bioinks demonstrated an elevated level Col-II/Col-X ratios. Although the expression level of
of aggrecan expression compared to the control on days 7 fibrocartilage marker Col-I was increased with both
and 14 (Figure 4A). Notably, at day 14, aggrecan expression ultrashort peptide bioink compared to control at day 7,

Volume 9 Issue 4 (2023) 70 https://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.719